Hey there wellness warriors! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest ways to look and feel your best. So when I heard about Prolon and Kroma, two uber-popular 5-day nutrition programs taking the wellness world by storm, I knew I had to try them for myself.
I‘m a total sucker for a good health reset – there‘s just something so satisfying about pressing that metaphorical "restart" button on your bod, you know? Plus, let‘s be real, quarantine snacking has not been kind to my waistline (shoutout to my favorite leggings for keeping me comfy and contained).
So I decided to take one for the team and give both Prolon and Kroma a whirl to see what all the hype was about. Consider this your ultimate guide to choosing between these two wellness titans and finding your perfect fit. Let‘s dive in!
Tale of the Tape: Prolon vs Kroma
First, let‘s set the stage with a quick overview of our contenders:
Prolon
- Science-backed 5-day fast mimicking diet (FMD)
- Developed by Dr. Valter Longo and his team at USC‘s Longevity Institute, based on 20+ years of research
- Promotes cell rejuvenation, fat loss, and overall health via plant-based, low-calorie meal plan
- Comes in pre-portioned kit with soups, bars, drinks, and supplements
- Starts at $187 per 5-day kit
Kroma
- Luxe 5-day whole food detox program
- Created by nutritional expert Lisa Odenweller of Beaming Wellness
- Focuses on nutrient density, anti-inflammation, and digestive health via superfood elixirs, lattes, and broths
- Provides 9-10 daily servings of portable mixes to be blended with water or nut milk
- Starts at $395 per 5-day kit
Basically, Prolon is the scientist brain to Kroma‘s boho earth mama heart. Both promise to leave you feeling lighter, brighter, and totally rejuvenated after just 5 days of sipping and supping. But how do you choose between the two? Let your girl break it down for you.
Science, Schmience: Prolon‘s Fasting-Mimicking Cred
If you‘re a science nerd like me (or just appreciate legit clinical evidence instead of woo-woo wellness claims), Prolon might be your jam. This system was developed by Dr. Valter Longo, a biogerontologist and cell biologist who‘s been studying fasting and longevity for over 20 years.
Prolon is based on Dr. Longo‘s research on the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), which he‘s tested in multiple clinical trials funded by the National Institute of Health. In one study published in Science Translational Medicine, 71 participants did three cycles of the 5-day FMD and saw some seriously impressive results:
- Drop in body fat and waist size
- Improved blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity
- Reduced inflammation markers like C-reactive protein
- Boost in stem cell production and cellular renewal
The secret sauce is Prolon‘s specific blend of plant-based ingredients and micronutrients (think omegas, vitamins, and minerals) that trick your body into thinking it‘s fasting while still providing essential nourishment. This puts your cells into clean-up mode, or what fancy science types call "autophagy," where they start recycling old proteins and cellular junk to regenerate shiny new cells.
Prolon has since done several more clinical trials on the FMD with promising results for things like cognitive function, diabetes management, and even chemo side effects. So while no diet is a true panacea, Prolon definitely has some legit scientific street cred to back up its claims.
Earth Mama Vibes: Kroma‘s Holistic Detox Approach
On the other hand, if you‘re more into a holistic, earth-friendly approach to wellness, Kroma might be more your speed. Created by Lisa Odenweller, a pioneer in the healthy eating space and founder of Beaming Wellness cafes, Kroma is all about flooding your body with nutrient-dense superfoods to support your natural detoxification systems.
The Kroma Reset includes a full menu of droolworthy elixirs, lattes, snacks, and broths designed to be ultra-gentle on your digestion while infusing every cell with plant-powered goodness. Think ceremonial grade matcha with ashwagandha, turmeric bone broth with ginger and algae oil, and a cacao cherry superberry smoothie that tastes like an indulgent treat.
What I love about Kroma is how they source their ingredients with an eye towards sustainability, transparency, and social impact. Many of their superfoods are certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and wild harvested from small farms around the world. Like their maca root, which comes from a women-owned farm collective in Peru, or their fair-trade coconut milk from Sri Lanka.
Kroma also places a big emphasis on reducing waste and eco-friendly packaging. Their glass jars and bamboo lids are totally reusable (hello overnight oats), and even their shipping materials are made from recycled paper and biodegradable packing peanuts. So you can feel good knowing your detox isn‘t trashing the planet in the process.
While Kroma hasn‘t been clinically tested like Prolon, their ingredients and formulas are doctor-reviewed and backed by nutritional science. And scrolling through their tagged Instagram posts is like a who‘s who of glowing celeb fans and wellness influencers singing Kroma‘s praises. So they‘ve definitely got the expert and social proof on lock.
Meal Deal: Comparing the Kroma and Prolon Diet Plans
Okay, so now that you‘ve got the high-level download on Prolon and Kroma, let‘s get into the nitty gritty of what you actually eat on each program. Because let‘s be real, you can‘t live on good vibes alone (I‘ve tried).
Prolon Meal Plan
Here‘s a peek at a typical day on the Prolon FMD:
| Time | Food | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 8am | L-Bar nut bar | 120 |
| 10am | Algal oil supplement | 40 |
| 12pm | Tomato soup | 90 |
| 1pm | Kale crackers | 50 |
| 2pm | Olives | 30 |
| 4pm | Minestrone soup | 140 |
| 6pm | Choco crisp bar | 230 |
| 8pm | Hibiscus tea | 0 |
| Total | 700-800 |
As you can see, Prolon‘s meal plan is pretty minimalist and portion-controlled, clocking in around 700-800 calories per day. The soups and snacks are plant-based and gluten-free, but honestly a little "meh" in the flavor department. I found myself really missing fresh veggies and spices by day 3.
The upside is that everything is pre-portioned and labeled by day, so it‘s basically foolproof to follow. Prolon also provides an optional fasting coaching app with daily tips, tracking, and community support to keep you motivated through the hangries.
Kroma Meal Plan
In contrast, the Kroma Reset menu is a lot more extensive and gourmet-feeling. A day on Kroma includes:
| Time | Food | Nutrition Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 8am | Matcha latte with collagen, MCT oil & ashwagandha | 12g protein, antioxidants, adaptogens |
| 10am | Blueberry chia "cereal" with flax, spinach & vanilla | 9g fiber, omega-3s, greens |
| 12pm | Turmeric cauliflower soup with ginger, cumin & cardamom | anti-inflammatory spices, bone broth |
| 2pm | Lavender beauty elixir with probiotics, silica & biotin | gut & skin support |
| 4pm | Veggie curry broth with moringa, spirulina & mushroom | 10g plant protein, micronutrients |
| 6pm | Superberry chaga cacao smoothie | immunity boost, magnesium |
| 7pm | Cinnamon maca latte with reishi & dates | stress support, natural energy |
| 9pm | Salted caramel fudge "cookie butter" | healthy fats, low-glycemic sweetness |
The Kroma menu definitely feels more satisfying and nutrient-dense, with an average of 1000-1200 calories per day. I loved the variety of flavors and never felt deprived or starving like I sometimes did on Prolon.
That said, Kroma does involve a bit more prep work since you have to blend the powdered mixes with your choice of nut milk or water. The jars are super cute and portable, but cleaning them all every night got a little tedious (maybe I‘m just lazy).
Kroma also gives you the option to add in a few whole food "boosts" each day like berries, greens, or avocado if you‘re feeling extra hungry. I ended up adding a big leafy salad to my evenings which really helped round out the plan for me. But technically that‘s not part of the "official" program so use your judgment.
Real Talk: My Experience on Prolon and Kroma
Confession time: even though I write about wellness for a living, I‘m still human and definitely not immune to the siren call of bread baskets and brie plates (drool). So any program that promises to get me back on track and de-puff my bod has my attention.
I tried Prolon first, and to be totally transparent, days 1-2 were ROUGH. I had a nagging headache, felt super low energy, and wanted to dive face first into a vat of pasta. But by day 3, something magical happened – I started waking up before my alarm, energy levels skyrocketed, and my perpetual bloat basically vanished overnight.
The scale also showed I‘d dropped about 5 lbs, though I know most of that was probably just water weight and glycogen stores. But my skin was glowing, my eyes were sparkling, and I just felt…lighter. Like a switch had been flipped and my body had hit the reset button.
Post-Prolon, I definitely had the "tiger blood" feeling that fasting fans talk about. I was laser focused at work, crushing my workouts, and had ZERO cravings for sugar or snacks. It was like a veil had been lifted and I was finally appreciating food for the right reasons – nourishment, pleasure, and human connection instead of just mindless munching.
A few weeks later, I decided to try Kroma to compare. And honestly, it was a totally different vibe but equally amazing results. The best way I can describe the Kroma experience is like a warm, comforting hug for your insides. The broths, lattes, and elixirs felt so soothing and indulgent, and I never had that same "hangry monster" feeling like I did on Prolon.
With Kroma, my results were more subtle and gradual – no dramatic overnight woosh, but a steady and sustainable improvement in my energy, sleep, stress levels, and digestion. By the end of day 5, my skin was dewy AF, my eyes were bright, and I just felt so NOURISHED from the inside out.
The biggest surprise perk? My cycle that month was a total breeze – barely any PMS, cramps, or bloating which is basically unheard of for me. TMI? Maybe. But I‘m all about that realness, y‘all.
Post-Kroma, I noticed I was gravitating towards more whole foods, staying hydrated, and actually craving things like big salads and grain bowls instead of my usual carb-y comforts. It‘s like the reset had rewired my taste buds and gut-brain connection in the best way possible.
Choose Your Own Adventure: How to Pick Your Perfect Reset
So, you might be thinking: "Cool story bro, but how do I choose?" Well, my friend, as with most things in life, it all comes down to priorities. Here‘s my take:
Pick Prolon if:
- You want max results in minimum time
- You‘re a biohacker who loves the hard science
- Simplicity and structure are your jam
- You want to kickstart fat loss or break through a plateau
- You‘re willing to get a little uncomfortable in the name of epic gains
Pick Kroma if:
- You want to dip your toe into detoxing without diving into the deep end
- Sustainability and earth-friendliness are non-negotiables for you
- You‘re all about that gourmet superfood life
- Gut health and digestion are your top concerns
- You don‘t mind a little extra time/effort for more flavor variety
And if you‘re an overachiever like moi, go ahead and do both! They actually complement each other quite nicely – I like to do Prolon quarterly for that hardcore full-body reboot, and Kroma monthly for some gentle ongoing maintenance. It‘s all about finding your personal wellness cadence.
No matter which you choose, I can‘t overstate the importance of using any reset as a launchpad for lasting healthy habits. These programs are powerful tools to recalibrate your system, but they‘re not magic bullets. You‘ve still got to put in the work on the day-to-day to make those benefits stick.
For me, that looks like prioritizing 8 hours of sleep, 2L of water, and 5 servings of veggies every day. It‘s batch cooking a big pot of quinoa or roasting a rainbow of root veggies on Sundays so I have nourishing fodder all week. It‘s bookending my days with a little movement and fresh air, even if it‘s just a 10 minute stretch sesh or walk around the block.
And most importantly, it‘s extending some radical compassion to myself when I inevitably "slip up" or veer off course. Because that‘s just life, and the journey is so much smoother with self-love as your guide.
At the end of the day, there‘s no wellness guru, green juice, or diet plan that knows your body better than YOU do. So listen to your inner wisdom, trust your gut (literally), and let your own personal glow be your compass. I‘ll be over here cheering you on, one sip at a time.
Bottoms up, babes!
